William Holman Hunt’s famous painting, “The Light of the World”, depicts Jesus knocking at a door, somewhat overgrown from lack of use and without an outside knob. The painting is based on Rev. 3:19-21 in which Jesus awaits an invitation to come inside. In the Gospel of John, Jesus is not nearly so polite. He has no problem, even though the doors are locked, letting himself in.
The risen Christ comes to us in our fear with his Easter gift of peace without our having to do anything to allow it to happen. Even when we fail to recognize our need for that peace, even when we think we are unworthy to receive that peace, Jesus comes to us saying Peace be with you. Had the logic of the Hunt painting ruled the day after the passion and death of Jesus, fear would have been victorious. Thank God it did not. Instead, the grace and peace of the risen Christ confronts our fear head-on. The disciples were not allowed to play out the drama of their angst (here I am reminded of the Beach Boys song "In My Room". God always comes down. Alleluia.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment